Lafayette Gilchrist

One of the more exciting jazz musicians to emerge in the first decade of the 21st century, Baltimore-based pianist Lafayette Gilchrist blends progressive 1960s post-bop experimentation with driving, accessible grooves. TOWARD THE SHINING PATH, Gilchrist’s second album, builds on the strengths of his debut to deliver a thoroughly appealing post-modern jazz ride. Whether exploring loose-limbed stride-funk fusions (“New Jack”), riff-driven jams (“Elephant Dance”), or lush, winding melodies (“Unsolved, Unresolved”), Gilchrist displays deft skill with a melodic line that is always surprising. Fans of contemporary pianists such as Jason Moran and Brad Mehldau would be well advised to check out this sophomore release from an up-and-coming talent.

Loose, soulful and swaggering tenor sax from a pair of legends - Hal Singer and David Murray - fellows who busted boundaries for decades! On Challenge, recorded in Paris in Spring, 2010, they play great, mostly original material with passionate conviction and a a boundless sense of intutitive interplay. Singer and Murray communicate masterfully, and their excellent group includes Rasul Siddik on trumpet, Lafayette Gilchrist on piano, Jaribu Shahid and the always great Hamid Drake on drums.